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Good morning.   When on this day in 1920, Joan of Arc was declared a saint it marked another dramatic event in the story of the young fifteenth century French woman who in life and in death was lauded, feared, vilified and celebrated.The popular image may be of a heroic French warrior maiden—or a dangerous anti-English rebel—but of course her real life was much more complex. One surprising fan was the nineteenth century American Mark Twain: who stated boldly that she was ‘easily and by far the most extraordinary person the human race has ever produced.’ That’s quite a statement. In her own day what you thought of her would depend on whose side you supported in the Hundred Wars’ War. I don’t suppose things have changed that much since. Now, as then, we’re often quick to attach labels to others and ourselves; and to accept without critique the labels other people impose. 
What I find most fascinating about Joan of Arc is that it’s actually so hard to label her: she challenges our ideas about what it means to be a villain or a hero. And her story, I think, shows that it is possible for all of us to confound expectations, other people’s or our own. But perhaps the biggest challenge comes from that declaration of her sainthood: it makes us question what it means to be a saint: perhaps being a saint is a possibility for all of us.
I’m not sure Joan of Arc would have agreed with Mark Twain’s assertion about her extraordinariness. I suspect she saw herself as thoroughly ordinary, just persevering with the work God gave her to do.. That, I think, is true saintliness.
God our Father, give us the same courage and determination with which you filled Joan of Arc. Make us steadfast in faith, persistent in facing hardship and trials and let us know your guidance and good counsel this day and always. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.